Red alarm level! Evacuation in Kleinbahren due to large forest fires

Red alarm level! Evacuation in Kleinbahren due to large forest fires

on July 1, 2025, the flames in Brandenburg raise the alarm. Seven forest fires rage in the country at the same time, with the largest inferno in the Elbe-Elster district, more precisely in Babben. A major damage Situation was proclaimed here at 2 p.m., and the evacuation of the adjacent village of Kleinbahren is in full swing. The residents are asked to leave the area towards Sonnewalde. The rbb24 reports that the population is asked to bypass the area, while the fire brigade is in use with an impressive line-up of 50 vehicles to use the flames tame.

The situation around Kleinbahren, which is a district of the city of Sonnewalde, is tense. According to the information from maz-online.de, several hectares of forest have already broken out, which forces the forces to add everything, to prevent the fires from spreading further. The police and fire brigade warn of unclear information about the exact extent of the damage and the cause of the fire. In addition to Babben, the fire brigades also fight against the flames in Sorno, Fichtenberg, Proschim, Laubsdorf, Zinnitz and Schönwalde.

comprehensive risk of fire in the region

The risk of forest fire in the region has been extremely high since Thursday. The highest warning level applies in Elbe-Elster and Spree-Neisse. And not without reason: forest fires are stronger and more dangerous than ever these days, favored by increased dry and heat periods that are due to climate change. These fires not only endanger the forest, but also the flora and fauna and have already caused massive damage in other European countries and in the USA, as the data from Statista show.

In 2023, over 1,200 hectares of forest area were destroyed by fires in Germany, while in 2022 the number with over 3,000 hectares marked the previous maximum value in the past 30 years. The most common causes include arson and negligence, with half of the fires unknown origins. The dangers to people and the environment grow not only through the loss of habitat, but also by the health effects released.

authorities and fire brigade in action

The authorities are under high pressure to stabilize the location. Concerned citizens can register on a specially furnished citizen phone on 03535464004. Further information can be found on the homepage of the Elbe-Elster district at Lkee.de.

The alarming increase in forest fires shows us that there is a critical situation in Brandenburg. The next few hours and days will be crucial to prevent worse things.